The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-08-04
Washington LETTER

AShlNplONj ~ W AuSj leU, 1000
The Republicans in Washington
viewed with much interest, not to say
anxiety, the late meeting and action
Of the elate over his victory, although
many of them seriously doubt the
policy OF his course in forcing an en-
dorsement while Blaine's followers are
in rage and swear they will get even
next year by sending a delegation
from the Buckeye State favorable to
the aspirations OF the man from Maine.
One of these infuriated Blaineites
was heard to declare that Sherman's
action in capturing the convention
and shaping it in his own interests
was one OF the most shameless and
humiliating spectacles ever witnessed
in American politics-more like the
manipulation of a scheming ward pol
itician than the deliberate conduct of a
so-called statesman, seeking the
highest and most honorable station on
earth. For one am willing to hold
up this Blaine man as true exponent
OF Democratic opinion on the subject
under consideration so, I will drop the
matter right here.
Probably there are few persons who
realize the tremendous task Of compil-
ing and publishing the war papers
known as the rebellion Records"
the eighteenth volume of which has
just been printed and is ready for dis
tribution. This volume only takes
the great work up to the year 1862 ;
1t is calculated that all of the records
will make 1917 volumes and that it will
not be finished until late in the next
century, at time when there will
be not one survivorof the civil strife
it commentaries.
The total receipts from all sources
OF internal revenue for the late fiscal
year amount to $118,835 ,757, exceeding
by$1 ,632, 1888 that Of the year before,
There was decrease in the tax on
distilled spirits and an increase in
the tax on all other articles, such as
tobacco, oleomargerine and ferment-
ed liquors.
The jolly drummers have been halt
ed in their triumphant march by the
ruling of the Interstate Commission
that the railroads cannot legally give
that fraternity reduced rates, but only
for moment, as the commercial
traveller realizes full well that at last
the consumer of the goods he sells
must pay his expenses, and so he goes
on his way rejoicing, seeking new
fields Of trade and denouncing the
Interstate Commission as "no good"
and "hollow fraud,
The Navy Department has made a
contract with the Hotchkiss Ordnance
Company, with the understanding
that branch of the manufactury will
be established in the United States.
Regarding the enterprises Secretary
Whitney says; "The erection of this
manufactury will mark another era in
the reconstruction of the Navy" Con-
tinuing, the Secretary said "Mr.
Hotchkiss was an American when he
died in 1884. England, France, Ger
many, Russia, Italy-every European
power in fact, had an establishment for
the manufacture OF Hotchkiss ord
nance" The Secretary further de-
clares that this country can no longer
depend upon foreign nations for war
materials
There has been a new and ageeable
departure made in Military matter
too, for the army must keep abreast OF
the navy in this age of universal pro-
gress. For the first time in our his
tory, details of companies from the
regular regimental posts have been
made to participate in the militia en-
campments and Grand Army reunions
in several Of the State The UMPIRE
secedented demand for the presence
of regular army officers at encamp-
ments this year shows vigorous
growth of the military spirit and an
increased interest in militia organic
alton. wonder il the army authori.